Watching a game I felt like we would win there was a clear Committment to Excellence all game long that I very proud of.

I could write about Buford… and me being ready for him to get demoted for Rodgers… but why complain after back to back double digit wins?

I could write about Cody White and him getting put back on the practice squad for some insane reason. Gotta keep this kid Spy… this is the exact type of high production, hard worker you want to develop. He’s great on special teams and even productive on offense too.

I could write about Ashton and his incredible blitz pick ups that seem to go unnoticed while he attempts to overcome 7 and 8 man delayed run blitz fronts. Harbaugh is still a really good coach, imho.

I could write about that incomplete pass/forward fumble that at least should have gone back to the point of the fumble… come on refs you already got it right earlier in the damn game once!

I could even write about Coach Kub and how he saved Ashton as a decoy for the 3rd and 5 for the last touchdown… freaking brilliant… and why Cody White was more open than whale’s mouth in a sea full of krill.

But after seeing the game again… it all came down to Nakobe for me!

WOW!

When this dude hits you… you stay hit!

On one blitz he absolutely drilled Madison’s future hubby. (Damn she fine!)

His closing speed on rollouts has me salivating for his shot at mahomie in two weeks.

You need a run stuff on 3 and 5 or less… Nakobe.

On at least 3 occassions I counted… he ended drives.

Could you imagine a fire hydrant hitting you?

Because that’s what I imagine it feels like when you get hit by Nakobe.

Raiders up 17 to 14… 4th Quarter… Other team putting a drive together to chew all the clock after we gift a first down at midfield on a stupid penalty…

Now, really Raider fans… how many times have we seen that situation turn into a L on our foreheads in years past?

12 Men on the Field on 4th and 1 to gift a first to a team we’ve been beating the crap out of all game?

No problem.

Call Nakobe… The Dean of DEFENSE.

Perfect tackle filling the hole… Shoulder right on the forearm… ball comes out… Chinn with the scoop… and just like that, all the stupid losses we’ve watched for YEARS gets washed clean.

THAT’S THE RAIDER FOOTBALL I GREW UP LOVING!!!

This defense tackles with intent to punish!

I LOVE IT!

Young dudes making plays!

Zeke… Stukes… I see you Stokes with that heads up strip sack!

It’s such a simple game…

Run the Ball – We didn’t do that this week because the Chargers knew we had no way to beat them over the top without Bowers, so they sold out and Buford was a huge disappointment.

Stop the Run – The young DL is gettin’ off of blocks and Nakobe is special.

Protect the Ball – Get some longer cleates Tre… can’t have that. Don’t run before you catch the ball Ashton… can’t have that.

Get the Ball – THREE More Turnovers… Really FOUR counting Maxx beating the crap out of Alt all day… how many penalties did Alt have?

Teams that win the TO battle win games… there is no stat that determines wins and losses like the TO battle.

Right now we’re +2… but I say we’re +4 because I count turnover on downs and safeties as turnovers too… btw +4 would lead the NFL.

And this identity is thanks in large part to Rob Leonard (I’m shocked I’m typing this, btw) and a DAWG, by the name of Nakobe Dean!

What did you see in the game that impressed you… can’t wait to read what you see Raider Fans… ahem… 1st Place Raider Fans!

Just Win Baby!